Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Tang Rong Does Not Want to See Tang Mo

Madam Wang had a very good impression of the wealthy and easygoing Xin An, chiefly because Xin An paid the money without meddling in the details and would even, from time to time, instruct the staff to buy extra supplies to help people along, such as charcoal and padded coats.

Smiling, Madam Wang said: “If there is anything, just say it; we need not be so polite between us.”

Xin An replied that she had only just arrived in the capital and was managing affairs for the first time, so oversights were inevitable: “Year’s end is upon us, and the household will doubtless be busy. I fear I may not have the leisure to come handle these matters again, so I must trouble Aunt to look after the year-end gifts for each family. Take it as a small token from my husband and me to everyone.”

She added matter-of-factly: “Eggs, meat, cloth, and pastries; for households with daughters, add silk flowers and hair ribbons. After a year of hard work, everyone should put on a new outfit.”

She concluded with candor: “It sounds simple, but doing it will be troublesome and time-consuming, and I cannot free my hands just now, so I must ask Aunt to do me this favor.”

It was not that she lacked subordinates who could handle procurement. Buying for the household was always the most popular task, and it involved much more than skimming a little kickback. By asking Madam Wang to arrange it, she signaled trust, deepened their ties, and made Madam Wang feel the job was worth doing.

As expected, Madam Wang readily agreed: “Since you trust your Aunt, your Aunt will certainly see it done properly.”

Chun Yang stepped forward and presented the banknote, and Xin An said: “Here are five hundred taels. Please manage as you see fit. If it is not enough, send someone to find me.”

Delight spread across Madam Wang’s face. It was not that she wanted to line her pockets; she was thinking how dignified it would be to convert this silver into the very items just mentioned and then distribute them with her own hand.

In past years, even when the Wang family’s purse was tight, they still made some gesture, even if it was only two feet of cloth. This year, using the marquis’s silver to prepare proper year-end gifts would earn the Wang family face. Why not be glad?

She ventured: “If the money is not all spent, could we buy a few jars of wine and invite those people to a meal?”

Xin An laughed: “Then be sure to call my husband; he loves a lively scene.”

Madam Wang beamed: “If the Second Young Master is willing to come, so much the better.”

Madam Wang accepted the banknote, promised to see everything done, then chatted with Xin An for quite some time; seeing that it was getting late, she personally saw her to the door.

Xin An had barely left when General Wang returned, asking as he stepped inside: “Did someone from the marquis’s residence come?”

Madam Wang answered: “The Second Young Madam.”

Pleased, she added: “Our Second Young Madam is very capable. She asked me to arrange the year-end gifts for each household and first handed over five hundred taels. She handles affairs thoroughly, speaks pleasantly, and is generous besides. Ever since she arrived, my purse has felt looser, and I am no longer afraid of those people coming to press me.”

General Wang, cheerful, sipped his tea: “That is a good thing. I think the Second Young Master also conducts himself appropriately; he is genuine and unassuming, quite the opposite of the rumors outside.”

Madam Wang chuckled: “And since when are rumors trustworthy?” She said she would go tomorrow to convert the banknote into silver and keep it at home for convenient disbursement, then added: “Reputation is something you cannot see or grasp. It is merely as the teller says and the listener takes it. I find both the Second Young Master and Second Young Madam quite good.”

General Wang agreed heartily, then asked whether they could buy some wine to keep at home; he had quite a craving.

As night slowly fell, Tang Mo once again ran into Xin An returning at the gate. He thought to himself: [We really are a fated couple; even coincidences like this keep happening.] Grinning, he swung down from his horse and came up to ask, “Tired? Shall we eat at home or out?”

Xin An answered, “At home.”

After half a day of exertion, Xin An only wanted to go back and lie down. Tang Mo naturally reached out to support her; she did not refuse. Just as they stepped inside, Tang Rong also returned. His bodyguard-servants were practically fully armed. Getting out of the carriage, he saw the couple ahead and held his tongue, not wishing to see Tang Mo’s smug face.

But life rarely goes as one wishes; the more you wish to avoid something, the more it comes. Lifting his head on the steps, Tang Rong met Tang Mo’s smiling face. Tang Mo greeted him with easy cheer: “Elder Brother is back; what a coincidence?”

He added, “Elder Brother looks well today.”

Then, eyeing the guards, he said, “These two bodyguards were assigned by Father, right? They look like experts. With them around, Elder Brother surely will have no more accidents.”

The corner of Tang Rong’s mouth twitched. [This felt like mockery.] Forcing a smile, he asked evenly, “Second Brother is only now returning?”

Tang Mo spread his hands: “Exactly. Our Northern Garrison Army does all the hard work. Today’s return is already early. I cannot compare with Elder Brother at the Ministry of Rites, so easy and dignified.”

Tang Rong smiled lightly: “Shall I speak to Father and look for a chance to have your post changed again?”

Tang Mo waved it off: “No need. There must be people to do the dirty and tiring jobs. One gets used to it.”

His supporting hand on Xin An’s arm never let go. As if oblivious to Tang Rong’s expression, he asked, “Will Elder Brother return to Chun Hua Courtyard or go to see Father?”

Tang Rong had always thought his self-cultivation was good; few things could make him forget decorum. Tang Mo’s words seemed harmless, but his expression was simply begging for a fist. Tang Rong kept his composure: “I have matters to discuss with Father. Second Brother and Sister-in-law, do as you please.”

He strode quickly toward Tang Gang’s study. Even from his back, one could tell he was holding in his anger. Tang Mo, thoroughly pleased with himself, supported Xin An toward Qiu Shi Courtyard and whispered, “See that? Breath Nurturing Practice is not all that formidable. Needle him enough, and he still cracks.”

Xin An smiled without comment. Back in Qiu Shi Courtyard, she reclined comfortably on the beauty couch. Tang Mo, one leg crossed, drank tea beside her, in the best of spirits: “Something amusing happened today.”

He told her that Zhu You had been beaten out of Duke Xiang Manor by Huang Wei: “A crowd gathered to watch. Zhu You yelled that Huang Wei was a shrew, and Huang Wei called him a coward.”

Xin An’s expression turned scathing: “Zhu You is not a decent man. Look how a good girl has been forced to this state.”

Tang Mo countered mildly: “Could it not be that Huang Wei is simply too fierce?” He noted that Huang Wei already had a fiery reputation in the boudoir: “She slapped Zhu You right across the face. It was rather brutal.”

Xin An rolled her eyes, saying: “Imagine someone lying beside you who calls another woman’s name in his sleep, and by day defies you for the sake of his beloved; could you remain calm? I have not seen Huang Wei, but from this I can tell she is not a scheming sort; otherwise she would have taken Zhu You in hand long ago.”

As a man with experience, Tang Mo needed only a moment to feel Huang Wei’s pent-up rage: “If this kind of scoundrel met that one next door, I do not know who would lose to whom. Let them bite each other like dogs.”

He added with quiet satisfaction: “He has slipped out now; my people should find an opportunity tonight.”

Xin An hummed assent: “Tomorrow we must attend the autumn banquet. After that it will be birthday banquets, hundred-day banquets, and wedding banquets. The banquets before year’s end are simply endless.” [Who can stand going to banquets every day?]

Tang Mo laughed to comfort her: “At least our residence is not hosting; that is the easiest.”

Xin An sighed: “Who said we are not hosting? I do not know whether the clan will arrive early. If they do, will we not have to hold a banquet to introduce them formally?”